After Anton Vetrov brutally murders a
young girl as a warning to Tristan Riley, the broken DEA agent believes the
best thing for Lillian Maddox to do would be to stay far, far away from him.
But Lillian knows a thing or two about fear, and she's not willing to let the
man she loves push her away that easily. If he won't fight for them, she
will... even if that means risking her life to prove she's strong enough to
live in his world.

Her plan ends in disaster when she's
dragged out of Teplo at gunpoint,
forcing Tristan onto a collision course with the Vetrov family and Pedro
Francisco. With nothing left to lose except the only woman who has ever
mattered to him, he will do whatever it takes to stop Vetrov and Francisco from
ever hurting her again.

But he doesn't know they've been waiting
for him to make his move. When he does, all hell breaks loose, and his life is
on the line. It's up to Lillian and the DEA to save him, and she's terrified
they won't make it in time.

Thrust headlong into a violent, bloody
confrontation with the Vetrov family, Lillian comes face to the face with the
heartbreaking realization that maybe she doesn't belong in Tristan's world,
after all. When the smoke clears, will he be able to convince his ballerina
that she's the best thing for him, or will he lose her and the chance at a real
future once and for all?

His right arm went around her, gathering her close as that same strange twisting sensation hit him right in the heart. She rested her head against his chest, humming her contentment. She felt so good in his arms, warm and soft. He pressed his lips to her forehead, breathing her in. She smelled like sin, like him and her and lilacs.

"How'd you sleep, beautiful?" he asked.

"Good. I always sleep so well with you."

"Good." A pleased rumble started in his chest. He pressed his lips to her forehead again, and then her temple. "I like having you in my bed."

"Me too."

Jason cleared his throat, reminding Tristan he was still on the line. "I'll let you go, man. See you tonight?"

"Yeah, later." Tristan set his phone on the counter and tilted Lillian's face up to his, kissing her deeply. She tasted like mint and sugar, so sweet. When they were both breathing heavily, he broke the kiss and led her to the table before settling her into a chair.

Her blush deepened as her eyes flickered to the table and then back to him, no doubt remembering what they'd done there a few short hours ago.

He couldn't help the smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he remembered too. The feel of her gripping him, the way she cried out for him, gasping that she loved him. The look in her eyes when she'd demanded he take her…. His cock hardened at the memory of her commanding him to give her what she wanted. Christ, he'd never get enough of her.

"You hungry?" he asked, backing away before he lifted her up onto the tabletop and had her for breakfast.

"Starving," she whispered, desire turning her eyes to hazel flames. She bit her lip, her gaze roving shamelessly up and down his body.

"Behave," he growled, swiping his thumb across her bottom lip, "or I'll bend you over the table and make you scream my name again."

Ayden lives in the heart of
Arkansas with her childhood sweetheart/husband of eleven years, and their five
furry minions. When not writing, she spends her time hiking, reading,
volunteering, causing mischief, and building a Spork army. Ayden graduated summa cum laude with her Bachelor of
Science degree in Criminal Justice and Forensic Psychology in 2009 before going
on to complete her graduate degree in CJ and Law. She currently puts her
education to use in the social services and CJ field.

Ayden also writes Young and New Adult fantasy under the penname A.K. Morgen.